2007/03/07

Blind Leading the Blind - Shanghai Edition

While Beijing's "dark" restaurant (first discussed here) got skewered by That's Beijing, Shanghai is getting its own dark restaurant. The restaurant in question, called the "Black Cafe", would appear to be Shanghai's first "dark" restaurant. I know articles on the Beijing version mentioned that 10 would eventually be opened up around the country, I think those were the plans of the owner of the Beijing restaurant. That means Shanghai may end up having multiple "dark" restaurants, it seems like this may be an unfortunate growing trend in China. Surprisingly, China Daily has been the only source of news on the restaurant so far, though one would expect a write up in Shanghaiist can't be far behind.

For my money, the one thing that sets this place apart from the one in Beijing is that they've actually hired blind waiters, something I complained about when it came to the Beijing restaurant. The owner even seemed to take a shot at the Beijing version (where waiters wear night vision goggles) with this quote:

"If we had waiters with night-vision goggles, then customers may feel a little uncomfortable floundering in the dark," the former San Francisco resident said. "We want people to really get into their food, to use their fingers even."

It still appears that the Shanghai version has nothing to do with the Disabled Federation and isn't going to be donating any money to causes for the blind. The article, both by the owners quotes and how its written by the author, doesn't avoid the common stereotypes that people have of the blind. Though at least the restaurant has blind waiters, thus offering employment for some blind people.

The concept of the restaurant is very gimmicky and seems like the kind of place where people might go once to try. However, if this place offers the quality that the article suggests it might, people might actually want to come back. The Black Cafe is located at 65 N. Maoming Rd and the phone number is 021-52286575. If anybody in Shanghai has gone, I'd be more than willing to post a review or just your impressions of the restaurant (or if you have your own blog, I'd be willing to link to it).

34 comments:

ya. imagine being in a dark world, where vision is completely useless, i will be the first one to ask to have the lights turned on.but it would be a great experience to eat and talk in the dark.. but what about checking out, what if i mistake a 100 bill for a 10. hmm, maybe i should bring a flashlight when i go just in case.

one of the things people talk about is how this sort of dining offers an introduction to what it is like being blind, far from it! However, it does seem good for a new experience or with some strangers, the focus is on the taste of the food and those around you, instead of just based on looks and appearance.

If you are looking wow power leveling, buy wow gold,warcraft gold as well as WOW Power Leveling and World Of wow levelingWhen you need someone to listen,FFXI Gil, I'll be there. When you need a hug, cheap FFXI Gil,I'll be there. When you need someone to hold your hand, I'll be there. When you need someone to wipe your tears, guess what? I'll be there. William Shakespeare

The Gameim.com is offering you with Scions Of Fate money and all kinds of cheap game gold. Scions Of Fate gold is sometimes need to pay for in this Scions of Fate game. For example in this game, we have to buy sof gold to exchange premium in order to protect our character. The only part of this game will require you to pay SOF gold but they are optional for you to choose in the premium store. One very common item bought with cheap SOF gold at the store would be a pet.

At one time or another, I do not have the rf gold ; at the first time, I am not willing to buy rf online gold . But I do not wonder I buy the rf money , my friend thinks that I am ill. But when I have it, it carries the magic from such a group, such a link in the world, rf cp , it is the key bring you to this world. But cheap rf gold is the best desire that I make.

Do you know 2moons dil? I like it. My brother often go to the internet bar to buy 2moons gold and play it. After school, He likes playing games using these 2moon dil with his friend. I think that it not only costs much money but also spend much time. One day, he give me many buy 2moons dil and play the game with me. I came to the bar following him and found cheap 2moons gold was so cheap.

What do you know Rose zuly. And do you want to know? You can get rose zulie here. And welcome to our website, here you can play games, and you will get rose online zuly to play game. I know rose online zulie, and it is very interesting.Do you want a try, come and view our website, and you will learn how to Arua ROSE zuly. Come and join with us. We are waiting for your coming.

What do you know Sho Online Mun. And do you want to know? You can get Sho Mun here. And welcome to our website, here you can play games, and you will get Sho Online gold to play game. I know Sho gold, and it is very interesting. Do you want a try, come and view our website, and you will learn how to buy Sho Online gold. Come and join with us. We are waiting for your coming.

Hey, you have a great blog here! With good writing and Nice writing style, Keep up the good work. I'm definitely going to bookmark you! Looking forward to reading more from you. Thanks for information.

At September's International Goalball Tournament in Beijing, the sportsbook first test event for next year's Paralympics, Yang, 25, who has played the game since he was a child, made a radio program to help familiarize people with the sport."I told my listeners how to visualize the direction of the ball from the different sounds it makes when hitting different objects," bet nfl he said. "Only people like me can make this kind of program."At Beijing One Plus One Culture Exchanges Center, a non-profit organization founded in March 2006 and run by people with disabilities, Yang and six other visually impaired people have jumped out of their traditional career online casino fields as masseurs or piano tuners to try their hand at being radio journalists.A 2006 national census indicates there are 82.96 million disabled people in China making up 6.34 percent of the population. Most take up jobs that only require menial labor skills, such as making handicrafts, or working as masseurs or acupuncturists, according to the China Disabled Persons' http://www.enterbet.com Federation (CDPF), the governing body for disabled Chinese in the country.

What we're about

Lei Feng - A Chinese soldier who became a hero in death and served as an example for Chinese school kids ever since...Modern Lei Feng - Half Chinese, Half American with writers in China, the US, and the UK. Lovers of sports, music, food, drink, and the good life, but also working to help China "rise up"...

Have any questions or a comment for us? Contact us at modernleifeng@gmail.com